DUI Lawyer Indio. Indio DUI charges are very serious. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. You can face DUI charges even for just refusing to take the tests, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And DUIs involving drugs are treated differently than those involving alcohol.
If you find yourself in this situation, you don't want to be alone. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here to fight for your rights.
We are CA's leading DUI defense lawyers and have successfully fought countless DUI charges. When you hire us, you're getting a team of former prosecutors who know how to protect you in the Indio, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Acting fast is key to protecting your freedom and license. Call anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to start constructing your defense strategy today.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Indio?
CA DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you without a BAC level over the limit, or if you don't blow at all. Police officers can do this because they when they rely on other methods to tell if you are impaired, often via field sobriety tests, then make arrests based on the results.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system starts moving towards both a license suspension and criminal charges. Here's the typical process for a DUI case to make its way through the system:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can start the minute the officer arrests you – on the spot, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, and your permanent license will be confiscated by the officer. Meanwhile, they are contacting the DMV about your DUI arrest, officially suspending your license.
- Arraignment: While under arrest, you will go to court, and a prosecutor will inform you of the charges against you.
- DMV Hearing: Separate from the criminal charges, you'll want to set up a DMV hearing within 10 days to protect your license.
- Pretrial Motions: Often, at the same time as your arraignment, the court will set conditions for your release, pending a trial. In the meantime, your Indio DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to dismiss charges, and a "blood split" motion to retest your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: While filing pretrial motions, your DUI defense lawyer will work directly with the Indio prosecutor to try and secure a favorable deal before a trial. But if it does go to trial, your attorney should be crafting a strategy now.
- Criminal Trial: It's rare that a DUI case will go to trial, but we're prepared to defend your license and freedom if it does.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face penalties. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, it's possible that your record will be eligible for sealing.
Our DUI legal experts can help you with any step of the legal process, on both the criminal defense and DMV side. No matter where you are in your case, we have the experience to help you move towards a positive outcome!
Defending Against Indio DUIs: Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
Indio, CA, DUI charges are always a two-pronged challenge: The criminal case and the administrative case. These are handled separately by the state, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are some things you need to know about both, and ways we defend your liberty and driving privileges:
Indio, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges. To fight them, you'll have to go through CA courts.
The general court process is the same as any other criminal case – first, you're arrested. Second, you're informed of the charges at an arraignment. Third, you go through pre-trial motions and negotiations. And finally, if it comes to it, a trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we defend your freedom and fight against the charges. We'll question whether or not the traffic stop was legitimate, argue against he officer's observations, look for weaknesses in the breathalyzer test, and look for evidence that can exonerate you.
We have an extremely strong track record of clients who have avoided jail time. Frequently, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, frequently to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll alsoargue for probation to maintain your freedom.
Indio, CA, DUI License Suspension
While your Indio criminal charges may be top of mind, don't forget about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension goes into effect automatically, and in order to fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of your arrest.
When you go through the DMV hearing, your criminal charges may not be a major focus. In fact, even if you receive a "not guilty" verdict, you can still lose your license. Instead, the focus of this hearing is whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to BAC tests, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you hire us, we'll challenge the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If you miss that ten-day deadline, though, there probably isn't a way to get your license unsuspended. Outside of rare cases, you don't get a second chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's crucial to contact a Indio DUI defense lawyer right away after being arrested.
Potential Penalties for a DUI in Indio
CA DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, it's possible to receive a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
In this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the nature of the allegations:
| Alleged DUI Offense | Jail/Prison Time | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First Time DUI | 48 Hours to 6 Months | Up to $1,000 |
| Second Time DUI | 96 Hours to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Third Time DUI | 120 Days to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Fourth Time DUI (Felony) | 16 Months to 3 Years | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Felony) | Up to 4 Years | Up to $5,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Felony) | 4, 6 or 10 Years | Up to $10,000 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as increased insurance premiums and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
Whatever happens in the court case, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. However, your arrest and/or criminal record keeps coming up and getting in your way. Depending on your case outcome, it might be possible to either expunge or seal your records. A DUI defense lawyer can help you with these processes, and give you an opportunity to clean your record.
How to Pick the Right DUI Defense Lawyer
When you're facing DUI charges, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to defend you. Your team needs the abilities, experience, and relationships to provide the optimal outcome for your case. The top Indio, CA, DUI defense attorneys will have all of the following:
- Experience: As defense attorneys, and also prosecutors. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team includes former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over 50 years of experience.
- Availability: DUI allegations can happen any time, day or night. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: Part of getting a positive plea deal is knowing the right people. We're familiar with the prosecutors in Indio and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Both in the community and in the legal sphere. We're proud to have received numerous accolades and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in CA.
- Track Record of Success: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. We're ready to add you to our list of success stories.
DUI Case Types We Defend in Indio
Criminal and administrative, whatever type of DUI charges you're fighting in Indio, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared to defend you against the charges.
Below are some of the DUI case types we regularly defend:
- Boating Under the Influence
- Breathalyzer Test
- Commercial Driver CDL DUI
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving Without a License
- Driving Without Insurance
- Drug DUI
- Drunk in Public
- DUI Alcohol
- DUI and Professional Licenses in California
- DUI Blood Test Defense
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Checkpoint Defense Attorney
- DUI Defense Costs
- DUI Expungement in California
- DUI Immigration Consequences
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Child Passenger
- Evasion
- Exhibition of Speed
- Felony DUI
- Field Sobriety Tests
- First-Time DUI
- Fourth DUI Felony Escalation
- Hit and Run
- Hit and Run DUI
- Hit and Run with Injury or Death
- Ignition Interlock Device Violations
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
Timing is Critical – Call Our Indio DUI Defense Attorneys RIGHT AWAY
After a DUI arrest, it feels like there's no space to breathe. Your license disappears, you might be interrogated, you're informed of a court date…it's easy to be out of control. And that's why it's all the more important to call a lawyer immediately.
Don't wait for the prosecution to build a case against you. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't wait and realize that it's suddenly too late. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to defend you.
We're experts at defending all Indio, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case right now and will work on a strategy to defend your license and your rights right away. Talk with one of us now at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online for a confidential consultation.
We also provide the following legal services in Indio, CA:
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